Cluster lamp-socket.



PATENTED MAY 7, 1907.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 81, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT l.

PATENTED MAY 7, '1907.

R. B. BENiAMIN'.

CLUSTER LAMP SOCKET. I

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJMIIN EORATION OF ILLINOIS.

.(LE f'IRIC. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COR CLUSTER LAMP-SOCKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 7, 1907.

Application filed January 3;, i903. sci-nine. 141,262.

1h (ZZZ mil/om it 71111 concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BENJAMIN,

a citizen of the United States, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and.

useful Improvement in Cluster Lamp-Sockets, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying. drawing, forming O a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in cluster sockets for electric lamps.

It has for its object to provide a device of this character which is cheap of manufacture, r 5 ellicient, safe and durable in use. 7 I

In the accompanying drawings the several views are as follows:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device, in the form which will connect the lamps in circuit in multiple, Fig. 2 is a similar view with parts broken away, Figs. 3 and a are views of opposite ends of the device, Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal vertical section, Fig. 6 is a cross section on tlie line 66 of 2 5 Fig.2, Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the base on the line .77 of Fig. 3, Fig. 8 is a sectional VlGI/KYlJlII'OUgI a baseprovidcd with terminals for connecting the lamps in series instead of in parallel as in the preceding go structure, Fig. 9 is a similar view of a base formed in a singlepiece and provided with terminals which will connect the lamps in circuit in multiple, Fig. 10 is an elevation of a modified form of my invention, Fig. 11 is an end view thereof, Fig. 12 is an end view with the casing on that end removed, Fig. 13 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view 'on the line 1313 of Fig. 11, one of the bushings being in elevation, and, Fig. 14 is a horizon- 4o tal sectional View taken through the base in this modification on the line 141 4 of Fig. 12.

Throughout the drawings like reference characters designate similar and corresponding parts.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, in carrying out my invention in its preferred form as shown therein, I provide a base which is preferably constructed of two circular disks 2, 2 of porcelain or other insulating material. 5 The base is recessed or cut outron opposite sides as at 3, and has a groove 4 in its periphery which connects said recesses. The central portion of a metallic strip 5 rests within one of said recesses and has its ends 6 bent inwardly. The extremities of said ends project slightly beyond the center of said base and are arranged away from the sides thereof so that they may spring. One has a tongue 7, preferably, struck up therefrom which bears against the side of the base. A screw 8 which has its head bearing upon the other side of the base extends through a hole 9 in said base and is threaded into said tongue to secure the strip 5 in position. The otherend of said strip has a hole 10 through which an implement for turning the screw may be inserted and the portion of said strip within the recess in said base is provided-with a binding screw 11. A threaded lamp receiving shell 12 is arranged on each side of the base and secured thereto by screws 13 which pass through the base and electrically connect said shells. The heads of said screws bear upon inturncd portions 14 of theshell on one side of the base. The other shell has similar inturned portionsupon which bear a preferably curved plate 15 into which are threaded the ends of the screws. This curved plate is provided with a lug 16 which is bent into the recess 3 opposite the one in which rests the strip 5 and is pr y-ided with a binding screw 1 7. The shells and the parts associated therewith, and the strips 5 and likewise its associate parts are insulated from each other by the base. A preferably tubular casing 18 surrounds each shell and an insulating sheath 19 is interposed between said casings and the shells. The sheath for the two shells is preferably formed in one piece. The ends thereof project beyond the ends, of said shells and casings and its central portion incloses the base. In order that access may be had to the binding screws and the groove or channel in the periphery of the base this sheath is suitably perforated. The two casings are held in their proper positions by a ring 20 provided with inwardly turned edges 21 which overlap outwardly flared inner edges 22 of said casings. This rin' iis made 111 two parts which are prefera bly joined together by inwardly turned lugs 23 formed on the ends of one part which project into eyes 24' perforated in the ends of the other part. By this construction the two parts maybe readily separated and assemled. The inelosing casing of the socket, it

will benoted, is of such diameter that it lies binding screw.

' tact terminals for the lamps are arranged to closely to the lamp receiving shells and is of such length that when the lamps are inserted in position, it stops'short of the lamp bulbs and does not cover the same, nor interfere with the insertion of the lamps in position. The upper part of said ring is provided with a screw which is turned to bear upon the base in a recess therein and thereby spread the ring which will operate to grip the parts thereof tightly together and secure the casings in their relative positions. The lower part of said ring is preferably se-. cured to a tubular standard 26 for supportingthe device and has a hole 27 therein arranged opposite the tube. This construction permits the supply wires to be led up.

through the support into the casing, around the base in the peripheral groove therein, and connected with their respective terminals by the binding screws. nected to the binding screw electrically connected with the receiving shells and the other wire is joined to the strip 5 by the other stitute the center contacts and engage the inner contacts of lamps inserted into the receiving shells. The spring action of said center contacts insure a good contact. When the lamps are inv position the circuit for each lamp will be from one wire to the receiving shells, thence through the lamps, and back to the other Wire by the way of the center contacts. In this form of my device the lamps are connected in circuit in parallel.

Removal of the upper portion of the ring permits access to the binding screws, thus enabling the supply wires to be easily connected with their respective terminals In Fig. 8 is shown a base on which the conconnect said lamps in circuit in series instead of in multiple as m the devices heretofore disclosed. The two lamp recelvm' shells are mounted on opposite sides of t e base and are electrically connected but have no I connection with the supply wires except when the lamps are in position. Also on each side of the base is a center spring contact 29 which is seclfred in place by a screw 30 which is threaded into a tongue 31 preferably struck 'u from said contacts. Each screw passes t rough a central aperture in one of the parts of the base and has'its head countersunk in the meeting face of the part of the base through whichit passes. The heads of the screws are separated from each other by an insulating disk The outer ml of each contact extends ahbund into one f the recesses in the base and is provided ith a binding screw 33 for securing thereto One wire is con- The ends. of said strip conone of. the sup ly wires. The lamps 'sup ported by this orni of my invention will be connected in circuit in series, andthe circuit for the current will be from one of the center contacts through the lamp in contact therewith to the receivin shells and then through the other lam to t e center contact which is in contact t erewith and connected to the othersupply wire. scribed the base ismade in two parts, so that the screws for fastening the center contacts in position may be pla'ced as described and the two parts are held together by screws which pass therethrough and mechanically support and electrically connect the receiving shells.

- Although the base shown and described in thefirst disclosed embodiment of my invention is made in two parts, yet it may be constructed in'a single piece, as shown in Fig. 9.

In that instance, the object of making it in two parts is to facilitate the manufacture "thereof. The single piece base is recessed as mypreferred form of base, and has its periphery provided with a bead 33* which is arranged near one side of the base. A disk 34 of insulating material is'arranged upon the opposite side of the base, and its edges extend beyond the edge of the base whereby a channel having insulating walls is provided for the supply wires. Said disk has a central perforation into which extends a protuberance on the base and is held between one of the receiving shells and the base.

.The structure shown in Figs. 10 to 14is a modified form of the construction before described. In this device there is a'base 35 consisting of a disk of insulating material;

In the structure just de- I The bottom of the base is preferably recessed as at 36. The base has a hole 37 provided therein through-which passes a strip 38, the ends 39 of which are bent to receive the basebetween them. Said ends are arranged away from the faces of the base and constitute the center contacts for the lamps. The strip is retained in position bya screw 40 which passes through the base. The head of said screw bears upon one side of the base and is threaded into a tongue 4] which is preferably, struck up from the strip and bears on the opposite side of said base. The lamp receiving shells are supported on the base by screws 42 which also serve to electrically connect said shells. The heads of these screws bear directly upon the inturned portion of one shell and their opposite ends are threaded into a curved plate 43 which bears upon the in-turned portions of the shell on the other side of the base. This plate has alug 44 which extends into a recess 45 in one of the faces of the base. Said lug is provided with a binding screw 46' for connecting therewith one of the supply wires to the center contacts by a binding screw 47' l for supporting said base made in two sections upon the portion thereof which 'is arranged within the hole in said base. A groove or channel 48 is provided in one of the faces of thebase which leads from the cut out portion at the bottom of said disk to the hole and recess in which are arranged the binding screivs. In this groove are laid the supply wires which are led to and connected with their respective terminals.- The base is surrounded by a ring e9 which, preferably has an annular shoulder on its opposite edges.

A preferably tubular support 50 is secured to said ring,- and a hole 51 in said ring cemmunicates with the cut-out portion 36 of the baseand the hole in the tube which enables the suply wires leading to the respective terniinas to be entirely inclosed. A close lying casing 52.for the receiving shells rests upon the shoulder on each side of the ring and the endsof said casing abut against annular flanges 54:01? bushings 53, which separate the casing from the recei ing shells. These bushings are threaded upon the receiving shells and have the ends thereof substantially flush with-the mouths of the receiving shells. By this arrangement when the lamps are in position, the inclosing casing stops short of the lamp bulbs and does not interfere with the insertion ofthe lamps. This :form of my device connects the lamps supported thereby in circuit in multiple.

The circuit for the current will be from the center contacts through each lamp to the outer contacts or receiving shells.

This improved'lamp cluster is particularly advantageous for use in show window's.

There are, however, many other places wherein it may be used to equal advantage. While there is shown a standard for supporting the device it may be desirable that it be held in position by other means. In lieu. of the standard there might be provided a plugfor insertion into the ordinary lamp receiving socket, said plug having inner and outer contacts which would connect the respective terminals of the lamp cluster and the socket for the plug. Furthermore, by slight'modification in any form of my device the lamps may be connected in circuit eithen n series or parallel.

Helein is shown and described only the most (iobvious manner of embodying my in ventiiin in a practical device, and, therefore, I reserve the right to make such changes in the details or" construction, arrangement and combination of parts as fairly fall within the s'cgpe of my invention.

aving described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric lamp cluster, the combination of lamp receiving shells arranged upon opposite sides of a common base, and a ring adapted to be separated. one from the other, substantially as described.

In an electric lamp cluster, the combi-- nation of lamp receiving shells arranged upon opposite sides of a common base, a ring for. supporting said base made in two sections adapted to be separated one from the other, and means for clamping said ring to said base, substantially as described. 3. In an electric lamp cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of lamp receiving I shells arranged upon opposite sides thereof, a casing surrounding each of said shells and having an unobstructed opening in the end thereof to permit the insertion of a lamp in the shell, and a ring for retaining'said casings in their normal position, substantially as described. v i

4. Inan electric lamp'cluster, thecombination. with lamp receiving shells arranged upon opposite sides of a common base, of a casing surrounding each of said shells having an unobstructed opening in the end thereof to permit the'insertion of a lamp in the shell,

said casin s being joined together by a ring to retain t 1cm iii-their normal position, substantially as described.

5. Inan electric lamp cluster, the combination with lamp receiving shells arranged.

upon opposite sides of a common base, of casings for said shells having flared edges, and a ring arranged between said casings also having flared edges which overlap the flared edges of said easin s whereby they are retained in their norma position, substantially as described.

In an electric lamp cluster, the combi nation with a suitable base, of lamp receiving shells arranged upon opposite sides thereof, 7

casings for said shells and a ring for securing said shells iii-their relative positions, said ring being constructed in two parts which may be readily separated. substantially as described.

7. In anelectric lamp cluster, the combi' nation with a base having lamp receiving shells arranged on opposite sides thereof, of

casings for said shells and'a ring for sec'uring said casings in their relative positions, said ring being composed oftwo parts which may be readily separated or joined together, and means for clamping said ring ,to said base, substantially as described.

' 8. In an electric lamp cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of lamp receiving shells arranged upon opposite sides thereof, an inclosing casing for each shell, a ring made in two parts, adapted to retain said casings,

in their normal positions, means for securing said parts together, and an insulating sheath interposed between said casings and said receiving shells, substantially as described.

9. In a two light electric lamp cluster, the

combination with an elongated inclosing portion of minimum transverse dimension having recesses formed in the o posite ends thereof, adapted to receive e ectric lamp bases and arranged to support the same substantially in axial alinement, of a suitable support for said inclosing portion, and'a sin",

gle pair of binding posts common to the'two amp receptacles substantially as described.

1.0, In a two light electric lamp cluster, the combination with an elongated inclosing shath'of minimum transverse dimension, of lamp receivin shells disposed Within the opposite ends 0 said sheath and' arran ed to substantially in axia alineindin posts common to the support the lam m t ar eria two lamp receivers and 1.1. In a two light electric lamp cluster,.the

combination with anelong'at'ed inclosing or- 't on of min mum trans'verse'dime'nsion aving recesses provide'd iiithe opposite ends thereof adapted to receive electric lamp bases and sup'por't the lamps substantially in axial alinement,' of a tubular support for said inclosing' portion, said support constituting a conduit for s'upplywires and a-palr'of binding posts common to the two lamp"ieceptacles',"substantially as described.

' 12. 'In'a two light electric lamp'socket, the combinati on with an elongated'ii'iclosing portion, of lamp receivers provided in the op 0- site ends thereof, said inclosing portion e-' ing' provided with" a removable partto per-- mit access to the interior of the'socket, substantially as described.

13. In a; two light electric lamp'socket, the

combination with an elongated inclosing porand a'inetal casing surrounding said base and lamp receivers and having a portion thereof removable to. ermit access to the interior of the socket, su stantially as described.

15. In a two li ht'electric lamp cluster, the combinationwit an insulating base or support, of lamp receivers and associated contact-s mounted 'upon'opposite sides thereof, binding 'post's suitably supnorted upon said base, a metallic shell mclosing base and lamp receivers, and suitable insulating-means betweenlsaid' shell and said lamp receivers,

a portion of said Hllirllllfl shell being remova suitable support'for said sheath, substantially as described ceases able to permit access to's'aid binding'posts,'

substantially as described.

16. In a two-light electric lamp cluster, the combination with a centrally'dis osedinsulating base, of lamp receiving she s mounted upon opposite sides of saidbase and arranged to support the. lamps substantially in axial alinement, and a casing surrounding said shells and. having unobstructed openings in lamp .receivmg'fshells mounted upon said v base andsupporting the lam s substantially in axial'alinemnt, a casing or each of said shells'havin upturnedi'nner edges and a cas 'ing for said ase having downwardly extending edges, the upturned edges -of said first mentioned casings co-acting with the downwardl' extending edges of said second mentione casing .to. retain sa'id' first mentioned casings in osition and means for detaching said secon mentioned casing toaiford access to the interior of said socket, substantially as described,

18. In a two light electric lam cluster, the combination with an insulating ase of lamp receiving shells mounted-upon said ase and supporting the lamps substantially in axial ali'nement, bindin posts for supply wires mounted upon sai base, a casing for each of said shells having upturned inner edges, a casin for said base composed of two members aving downwardly extendin edges, means for attaching one of said mem ers to a suitable conduit or support and means for detachably securing anotherof said mem here in position, the upturned edges of said first mentioned casings and the downwardly extending edges of said second mentioned casings co-actingwith said last mentionbd means to retain said casin s in position and to afford access to saidbin ing posts through the sides of'saids'ocket, substantiallyas described. w

19. In a two light electric lam cluster, the combination with an insulating ase, of lamp receiving shells mounted upon said base and supporting the lamps substantially in axial alinement, a suitable casing for said shells and suitable insulating means between said' casing and shells, substantially as described. 20. In a two light electric lam cluster, the combination with an insulating use, of lamp receiving shells mounted upon said base and supporting the lamps substantially in axial alinement, a suitable casing for sald shells and an insulating sheath between said casing and said shells, substantially asdescrlbed.

' 21. In a two lightelectric lamp clester, the

combination with an elongated supporting portion having lamp receiving recesses ar- 35 V .to' receive supply wires and a central. tubular support for said socket communicating With ranged in opposite ends thereof and supporting the lamps substantially in axial alinement, of a metal casing for said supporting portion composed of three members and an insulating sheath composed of three members disposed between said supporting portion and said casing, substantially as described.

22. In a two light electric lamp cluster, the combination with an insulating base, of lamp receiving shells mounted upon said base and supporting the lamps substantially in axial alinement, a suitable casing for said shelis and insulating rings disposed between said shells and the outer edges of said casing, substantially' as described.

, '23. In a two-li ht electric lamp cluster, the combination wit an insulating base composed of two members, of a lamp receiving shell mounted upon each of said members arranged to support the lamps substantially in axial alinement, and a casing surrounding said shells having unobstructed openings in the ends thereoil'to permit the insertion of lamps in said shells.

24. In a two light electric lamp cluster, the combination with an insulating base, of lamp receiving shells mounted thereon arranged to support the lamps substantially in axial alinement, a binding post common to said shells arranged in a recess in said base, a binding post common to the centercontacts of the lamps also arranged in a recess iii said base, said base having a groove formed therein communicating with said binding posts and adapted said groove and adapted to receive supply wires, substantially as described.

25. In a two light electric lamp cluster, the combination with an insulating base, of lamp receiving shells mounted upon said base arranged to support the lamps substantially in axial alinement, and means securing said shells in position on said base said means electrically connecting said shells one with the other, substantially as described.

26. In a two light electric lamp cluster, the combination with an insulating base, of lamp receiving shells mounted upon said base arranged to support the lamps substantially in axial alinement, a u shaped piece having a turned-up extended portion disposed in the bottom of one of said shells, a binding post carried by said extended portion, and means extending through said base mechanically supporting said. p-shaped piece and said shells in position and electrically connecting said shells one with the other, substantially as described. l

27. In a two lightelectric lamp cluster, the

alinement, a strip arranged in a recess in said combination with an insulating base, of lamp receiving shells mounted thereon arranged to .7 28. In a two light electric lamp cluster, the

support the lamps substantially in axial? alinement, a strip arranged in a recess in said base and having the ends thereof bent to extend opposite the faces of said base to form center spring'. contacts for the lamps, a tongue formed in one end of said strip, a bolt or rivet extending through said base and coacting with said tongue to retain said strip in position, one end of said strip having an aperture formed therein to permit access to said bolt, substantially as described.

29. In a two-light electric lamp socket, the combination with a pair of suitably supported lamp receivers arranged end to end and adapted to support the lamps in substantially axial alinement, of lamp contacts associated with said receivers, a suitable support for the socket, and a casing surrounding said lamp receivers having unobstructed openings in the ends thereof to permit the insertion of lamps in said receivers.

30. In a two-light electric lamp socket, the combination with a pair of suitably supported lamp receivers arran ed end to end and adapted to support the lamps substantially in axial alinement, of lamp contacts for said receivers, a centrally disposed sup port for the socket, electrical conductors extending through said support, and a casing or cover surrounding said lamp receivers having unobstructed openings in the ends there of topermit the ready insertion of lamps in said receivers. '1

31. In a two-light electric lamp socket, the combination with a pair of suitably supported lamp receivers arranged end to end and adapted to support the lamps in substantially axial alinement, of lamp contacts asso ciated with said receivers, and a casing or -within said casing.

83. In a cluster or plural lamp socket, the combination with a support, of a metallic casing removably'connected thereto, an insu- -lating base supported by and Within said casing,a plurality of lamp receivers 'andtheir contacts mounted upon said base and within said casing, and a pair of binding posts 10 said casing, and means for insulating said remounted upon said base.

oeivers from said casing. v In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub- 34. In a cluster or plural lamp socket, the scribed my name in the presence of two itcombination with a support, of a metallic nesses.

casing removably Connected thereto, an insu- REUBEN; B. BENJAMIN. lating base supported by and within said cas- Witnesses: ing, a plurality of lamp receivers and their EDWIN B. H. TOWNE, J12,

contacts mounted upon said base and Within M. R. RooHFoRD. 

